ఈతలకుపోయినవాడు, ఇల్లుకాలినవాడు, తాళ్ళకుపోయినవాడు తండ్రి చచ్చినా రాడు.
italakupoyinavadu, illukalinavadu, tallakupoyinavadu tandri chachchina radu.
One who has gone for palm wine, one whose house is burning, and one who has gone to the toddy trees will not come even if their father dies.
This proverb describes people who are so deeply involved or stuck in specific situations that they cannot be reached or distracted by anything else, even a family tragedy. It highlights the behavior of those who are either too focused on their addictions (toddy/palm wine) or too overwhelmed by their own personal disasters (house burning) to fulfill social or family obligations.
Related Phrases
వ్యాధి వచ్చినవాడు వెట్టి పట్టినవాడు ఒకటి.
vyadhi vachchinavadu vetti pattinavadu okati.
One who is diseased and one who is forced into labor are the same.
This proverb highlights that a person suffering from a disease and a person forced into unpaid manual labor (vetti) share a similar plight—both lose their freedom of will and are under a constant state of suffering or compulsion. It is used to describe situations where a person has no choice but to endure hardship.
ఒకడు పినతల్లికి తప్పినవాడు, ఇంకొకడు తల్లికి తప్పినవాడు.
okadu pinatalliki tappinavadu, inkokadu talliki tappinavadu.
One missed being born to the maternal aunt, the other missed being born to the mother.
This expression is used to describe two people who are equally wicked, cunning, or troublesome. It implies that there is no difference in their bad character; if one is bad, the other is slightly worse or just as bad. It is similar to saying 'two of a kind' or 'chips off the same block' in a negative context.
తిట్టితే చచ్చినవాడు లేడు, దీవించితే బ్రతికినవాడూలేడు.
tittite chachchinavadu ledu, divinchite bratikinavaduledu.
No one died because they were cursed, and no one lived forever because they were blessed.
This proverb emphasizes that words alone—whether insults or blessings—do not have the power to change one's destiny or physical life. It is used to suggest that one shouldn't take verbal abuse too deeply to heart, nor should one rely solely on praise or blessings without personal effort.
తిట్టి చచ్చినవాడూ లేడు, దీవించి బ్రతికినవాడూ లేడు.
titti chachchinavadu ledu, divinchi bratikinavadu ledu.
No man has ever died from cursing, or lived from blessing. No one dies of threats. ( Dutch. )
This proverb is used to suggest that words alone—whether insults or blessings—do not determine a person's fate or lifespan. It emphasizes that one should not take curses to heart or rely solely on blessings, but rather focus on reality and one's own actions.
* Van dreigen sterft man neit.
శాపాలకు చచ్చినవాడు, దీవెనలకు బ్రతికినవాడు లేరు.
shapalaku chachchinavadu, divenalaku bratikinavadu leru.
There is no one who died because of curses, nor anyone who lived because of blessings.
This proverb emphasizes that human life and destiny are governed by actions and natural laws rather than just the words of others. It suggests that mere words—whether malicious curses or benevolent blessings—do not have the power to change one's fate or physical reality. It is used to encourage people to ignore empty threats or not rely solely on praise.
చామచేలకు పరిగకుపోయినట్లు
chamachelaku parigakupoyinatlu
Like going to glean in a field of Sama (millet).
This expression is used to describe a situation where one's efforts are wasted because they are directed at something that yields very little or nothing at all. Sama is a tiny grain, and 'pariga' refers to gleaning (picking up leftover grains after harvest). Trying to glean such small grains is considered a futile and unrewarding task.
కుక్క సంతకుపోయినట్లు
kukka santakupoyinatlu
Like a dog going to a village market
This expression is used to describe someone who goes to a place or joins an event where they have no purpose, relevance, or benefit. Just as a dog at a crowded market gets pushed around and gains nothing, it refers to aimless wandering or being out of place in a busy situation.
ఇచ్చినవాడే నచ్చినవాడు, చచ్చినవాడే అచ్చినవాడు
ichchinavade nachchinavadu, chachchinavade achchinavadu
The one who gives is liked, the one who dies is free of debt.
This proverb reflects a pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of human nature. It suggests that people only like those who provide them with something or give them money. The second part implies that a person's debts are effectively canceled or their accounts are settled only when they pass away, often used to comment on the difficulty of recovering debts or the fleeting nature of social approval based on transactions.
తల్లి చస్తే నాలుక చచ్చినట్లు, తండ్రి చస్తే కళ్ళు పోయినట్లు
talli chaste naluka chachchinatlu, tandri chaste kallu poyinatlu
When the mother dies, it is like the tongue dying; when the father dies, it is like losing one's eyes.
This proverb highlights the specific roles parents play in a child's life. A mother is associated with food and taste (the tongue), meaning her absence leads to a lack of nourishment and care. A father is seen as the guide and protector (the eyes), meaning his absence leaves the family without direction or security in the world.
ఇచ్చినవాడే మెచ్చినవాడు, చచ్చినవాడే అచ్చినవాడు.
ichchinavade mechchinavadu, chachchinavade achchinavadu.
The over liberal man is ruined ; when a man dies, his debts go with him.
This proverb highlights two harsh realities of life: people only appreciate those who are generous or provide help, and once a person dies, their debts and obligations often perish with them, making it impossible to recover what was owed. It is used to describe the nature of gratitude and the finality of death regarding liabilities.